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Committee approves staff report to explore reallocating up to $15 million from ULA admin for wildfire rental aid
Summary
The committee directed the Los Angeles Housing Department and CAO to report on disencumbering up to $15 million (and up to 10% from each House LA fund expenditure category) for an emergency rental assistance program to help residents impacted by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires; the motion was approved as amended, 3–0.
The Housing and Homelessness Committee on a 3-0 vote directed staff to report back on disencumbering up to $15,000,000 from Measure ULA administration funds and to consider reallocating up to 10% from each ULA expenditure category to an emergency rental assistance program for residents who declared economic hardship due to the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
Why it matters: Councilmember Blumenfield introduced the motion to get cash assistance quickly to nannies, gardeners and others economically impacted by the fires. Members and speakers emphasized the urgency of getting funds to affected renters while also protecting the voter-approved parameters and oversight for Measure ULA.
What the committee heard: Several union, community and housing organizations opposed an immediate reallocation without preserving ULA’s oversight structure and cautioned that moving administrative funds could disrupt implementation. "This motion would put at risk the successful implementation of ULA programs across the board," said a representative of the United House LA Coalition, citing potential conflicts with the ULA ordinance and the Citizens Oversight Committee (COC). IBEW Local 11 also asked the committee to vote no on reallocating funds already allocated by the Citizens Oversight Commission.
Staff and members' views: Committee members and staff identified multiple potential sources for wildfire relief funds — philanthropic donations (reported by members as sizable), SB 2 funds, mayoral fund dollars and existing ULA categories for seniors and people with disabilities. Council members said they preferred to prioritize other quicker sources (private philanthropic funds) but also asked staff to outline the legal mechanics for reallocating ULA funds in emergencies.
Committee action and next steps: Councilmember Blumenfield moved and an unidentified second was recorded; the committee amended the motion to direct the Los Angeles Housing Department with assistance from the City Administrative Officer to report on disencumbering up to $15,000,000 and up to 10% from each ULA expenditure category to allocate to emergency rental assistance. The committee approved the motion by roll call (Councilmember Raman: yes; Councilmember Blumenfield: aye; Councilmember Nazarian: aye). Staff were asked to return with a report detailing feasibility, legal constraints, and steps to implement emergency rental assistance while respecting ULA rules and the Citizen Oversight Commission.
Context and limitations: Committee members emphasized wanting to use "other people's money" first (philanthropic dollars and existing emergency funds) and to ensure any use of ULA funds remains within the voter-approved parameters and oversight. The committee is seeking a staff report on disencumbrance options and legal implications before any reallocation is executed.
